Multiphysics co-simulation: definitions
Introduction
Generally, the term coupling is used when we wish to study, for a given device, several physical phenomena: electrical, magnetic, thermal, mechanical...
Each phenomenon is described by an equation (equations of Maxwell, equation of Fourier, circuit equation, mechanical equation...). Therefore, the coupling requires that a more complex system of equations be solved.
Strong / weak coupling: definitions
In general we speak about:
-
a strong coupling: when a simultaneous solving process of two systems of equations is carried out (example: in case of the field-circuit coupling, the equations of the magnetic field and the circuit equations are solved simultaneously)
-
a weak coupling: when the two systems of equations are solved independently , which imposes the data transfer from one system to another (example: in case of the kinematic coupling, the equations of the magnetic field and the mechanics equations are successively solved for each time step).
A strong coupling can be carried out only internally (within the software). A weak coupling can be realized internally (within the software) or in association (combination) with other software items.
Couplings proposed in Flux
The couplings proposed in Flux are the following:
- circuit coupling (strong coupling)
- kinematic coupling (weak coupling)
These couplings are entirely incorporated and available in the form of Flux modules (functionalities proposed by the software).
Co-simulation
In order to carry out the coupling with other items of software, new functionalities allowing the external data exchange.
We speak about multiphysics co-simulation.
Examples
Examples of software items which can be coupled with Flux:
- FLUENT: software of numerical simulation of fluids flows (Computational Fluid Dynamics: CFD)
- EMTP: software of simulation of transient electromagnetic phenomenon in the electrical networks.
- MpCCI: software for the coupling of various simulation codes
- Flux: for instance Magneto-Thermal co-simulation